FBI Seeking Bearded Bandit

FBI Sacramento Division #News Release:

FBI Seeking Bearded Bandit
Suspect Wanted for Series of 11 Northern California Bank Robberies

FBI SacramentoMarch 23, 2016

Public Affairs Specialist Gina Swankie(916) 977-2285

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is seeking information that may lead to the identification and apprehension of a serial bank robbery suspect. The “Bearded Bandit” is described as Caucasian male who stands 5’10” to 6’10” feet tall. He is believed to be 25-35 years old and has short brown hair and a full, groomed beard. During the robberies, the suspect has worn a variety of sunglasses, hats, and layered shirts with dark pants. Photos of the suspect are available on the FBI’s Wanted Bank Robber website: https://bankrobbers.fbi.gov/robbers-container/2016-03-03.0628214161.

The Bearded Bandit is allegedly tied to at least 11 bank robberies, one attempted robbery, and three casing incidents in seven Northern California Cities. To date, the suspect is believed to have been involved in the following incidents:

• Saturday, February 12, 2016
  Robbery of Chase Bank located at 3906 Washington Boulevard in Fremont.
• Tuesday, March 1, 2016
  Robbery of Chase Bank located at 5010 Elk Grove Boulevard in Elk Grove
  Robbery of Wells Fargo Bank located at 3518 Marconi Avenue in Sacramento
  Attempted robbery of Wells Fargo Bank located at 1235 Stratford Avenue in Dixon
• Friday, March 4, 2016
  Casing of U.S. Bank located at 905 1st Street in Gilroy
  Robbery of Wells Fargo Bank located at 777 1st Street in Gilroy
• Friday, March 11, 2016
  Robbery of Wells Fargo Bank located at 4599 Clayton Road in Concord
• Tuesday, March 15, 2016
  Robbery of U.S. Bank located at 4440 Tassajara Road in Dublin
• Wednesday, March 16, 2016
  Casing of Wells Fargo Bank located at 1055 S. Green Valley Road in Watsonville
  Casing of Wells Fargo Bank located at 17539 Vierra Canyon Road in Prunedale
  Robbery of U.S. Bank located at 905 1st Street in Gilroy
• Thursday, March 17, 2016
  Robbery of U.S. Bank located at 46848 Mission Boulevard in Fremont
  Robbery of Wells Fargo Bank located at 6778 Bernal Avenue in Pleasanton
• Monday, March 21, 2016
  Robbery of Chase Bank located at 3492 Mount Diablo Boulevard in Lafayette
  Robbery of Bank of Stockton located at 230 Main Street in Rio Vista.

During each of the robberies, the suspect presented a demand note—often from a black merchant’s bag—and has left the scene without incident. No weapon has been threatened or seen.

The FBI and the following local law enforcement agencies are investigating the bank robbery series:

• Alameda County Sheriff’s Department
• Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office
• Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department
• Concord Police Department
• Dixon Police Department
• Dublin Police Department
• Elk Grove Police Department
• Fremont Police Department
• Gilroy Police Department
• Lafayette Police Department
• Pleasanton Police Department
• Rio Vista Police Department.

Wanted fugitives, bank robbers, and other cases in need of additional information from the public are posted for viewing on the FBI Sacramento Most Wanted page. Individuals with information about any fugitive or case posted on the FBI Sacramento Most Wanted page may call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-885-5984) the Sacramento field office at (916) 481-9110, or the San Francisco field office at (415) 553-7400. Tips may also be submitted at tips.fbi.gov. Additionally, information may be provided to any of the local law enforcement agencies investigating this matter.